SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com: December 2020

Spartans at the Half... by (me!) sandra, tvgp

covid stats; should have known?

for love of family -they sent you home

~you did not holiday all alone

you're down star starters

coordinators too

what's a spartan supposed to do?

the best you can

with what you've got

may they say of you,

-our half time thought

odds against; but still they fought

Color of Love Notes. Photo collage by (sexy! & ~tops!)

Nature of our walks. Photo collage by (sexy! & tops!)

"Thank You!" love, (me!) sandra, tvgp ~tops

in search bar type: "retired!"

All we want for Christmas... (sexy! & tops!)

1:30 pm

Christmas Day

with a 1.5% chance of making the playoffs

5:15 Tomorrow

with a 0.2% chance of making the playoffs

keep the faith

We will bring the feast to you then... (sexy! & tops!)

our original plan would have included nearly 30 family members for our Polish Christmas Feast.. and we've been very excited.. loved all the planning, shopping, decorating

but, while we've gone nearly the entire 2020 year without any direct family/friend members getting covid

December changed our personal stats dramatically -in just this month, 2, then 5, then 7 family/extended family members tested positive and have been (or are write now) battling the attack on their taste buds, sense of smell, and most pronounced -their energy, and there has been significant weight loss -some from people who were pretty small to begin with.. "didn't even know you had 20 pounds you could lose!"

but, no ongoing hospitalizations -everyone successfully battling and healing from home; quarantined and then making their way back out in the world

our Polish Christmas Feast dropped to just 5 people... and it was still quite wonderful! -We do know how to stay flexible, God's will not our own, and make the most out of everything we can do

and, i guess it is the Polish in us, that has helped inspire our 'traveling feast'

because what we have done, (and are still doing) instead, is bringing the meal to individual homes vs. having everyone here at one time

if it's all clear, we can dine together, and where there have been covid diagnoses.. we just drop it off.

***

and, it sure seems to me, despite these cases.. we are in a season of answered prayers, Robert & I

-so many healings... good reports... bad things turning around.. hope where there was none..

smiles.. gratitude... great mini visits... beautiful climates...

and the vaccine is rolling out...

so we toast! a heavenly toast.. "to a Merry Christmas & Happy Healthier New Year!"

Super Thrive for Humans as considered by (me!) sandra, tvgp

quantum butter fly poem

one of the -many!- things i learned during my 4+ years at alden lane nursery; i mean, i remember i kind of stopped in my tracks the first time i overheard it

'transplant shock'

and i learned about products made available for gardeners that they could give their plants/trees/flowers when they were relocating them from one place to another to avoid transplant shock, which in some cases can kill the plant

we don't all relocate so easily -write.

and i thought of how hard it has been over the course of my life time.. moving from here to there, and there to there.. there to here..

and i did it all without the benefit of super thrive for humans

-but, my last two major relocations; major transitions -they've gone extremely well

here's why:

i didn't just move from the room i shared at my mom & ricks house into roberts -and now, 'our' house.

i spent one night here, and then eventually two nights in a row, then..

next you know, i was staying 5 nights with robert, only two at my mom's..

until eventually i moved completely in -and it seemed very seamless. smooth. natural. wonderful..

and now, if i may mention here my greatest Christmas present ever! -the opportunity to join Robert in full retirement.

and now, it is feeling very seamless. smooth. natural. wonderful! -but i didn't just go from working 5 days a week, year round to an abrupt retirement

I went from working 5 days a week, to 4... then down to 3 days a week for a stretch, and then for the past many months I've been working only 2 days a week

beginning 2021. Full retirement. "Thank You Jesus!" "Thank You Sexy!"

and it was sweet.. Jacquie, the owner of Alden Lane Nursery -she came up to me, "didn't you read the fine print? You are not allowed to retire before me!" and she laughed and smiled.

It gave me another opportunity to share and remind her -that i have worked in many different places and many different environments over the past several decades

and without a doubt, Alden Lane Nursery has the single best customer service of anywhere I have ever worked, or even anywhere I have ever shopped. And! the integrity! business integrity! I am so proud to work here

... to have worked here...

and in addition to the stellar customer service, business integrity -there is something very good going on when it comes to hiring selection, because I have been working for, or with, or near some of the coolest, most knowledgeable -just wonderful people.

and I will miss Alden Lane.. /but I sure won't miss the commute! when i started i was living only 10 minutes away

and on the night before i knew Robert was going to invite me to retire completely -on my drive from livermore to san jose, pitch black, with a little rain and the predictable selection of selfish, dangerous drivers on the road

i was praying to Jesus "i did it last year.. and the year before that.. i can do it again and get through this season.. if i am driving it's because you have equipped me.."

and i was determined to keep going -overriding a sober personal assessment which ended with, i'm not really qualified to be driving at night this distance..

but anyway -hallelujah! i am retired. and i am very happy about spending every day with my sexy.. and very relieved to be off the freeways at night in the rain.

God is very Good! amen.

Our 2020 part II photo collages by (me!) ~tops #IWA @writeousmom

Tenuta Winery, Livermore, CA remembers (me!) sandra, tvgp

speaking of stories... here's a fun one from my wine pouring and wine tasting days at tenuta winery in livermore, CA

and speaking of tattoos

Our 2020 Family Christmas Card Design by (sexy! & tops!)

we had a great deal of creative fun designing this... cutting, arranging, xyron'ing

visiting with richard at staples when we order our color copies in card form...

and are spring-boarding off this, so our entire Christmas theme this year is the iconic

vintage red truck

and we'll be having a polish Christmas feast, so also had great creative fun adding some embellishments to our table centerpiece

"nostrovia!"

All Eyes On Alden Lane Nursery in 2021 says (me!) sandra, tvgp

i love this picture! it captures the beautiful smiles of two community icons: Charlotte Severin & Jacquie Williams Courtright -plus captures the spectacular painting of ravenswood in fall by Charlotte.

-i asked a silly question when i saw the painting "are those fall colors just your favorite to work with?"

"i love all the colors" Charlotte said with a smile of her own..

/of course, -write. can i take my question back please...

***

and regarding alden lane nursery -during my last shift, i was asked numerous times whether or not the nursery would be shutting down again with the new covid spike and regulations

each time i answered the same way -explaining how we are an essential business, and how we are so outdoors; pointing to the acres of open land; trees, flowers, plants... and talking about how we are finally open 7 days a week again, and!

i can't count the amount of people who share with me, that they come to alden lane to have their spirits lifted; especially during this time

and we are an essential business primarily because we sell food; vegetables; herbs, fruit trees..

but i want you to know, alden lane nursery is an essential business because we offer fresh air, nature, beauty, colorful flowers, a beautiful fountain, gorgeous statuary, an open landscape, and all of our 400+ year old stunning valley oak trees [CH!]

being outdoors and in beautiful landscapes is essential to our over all well being whether our government officials realize it or not

and! especially if you have been 'sheltered in place' in your home, working from home; schooling from home

you need to get out!

and what i have mentioned many times, in different ways is this: nature is the most generous, and the easiest way back to health and happiness

what i mean by easiest, is this: many people put a lot of effort into trying to relax.. taking yoga classes, would be a great example

and yoga is wonderful no doubt, but..

i would argue, you can land in the same place, spiritually/mentally/emotionally (perhaps not physically) by just walking slowly through alden lane nursery and letting your eyes land on all the flowers, trees, plants.. breathing the fresh air, noticing the sky, the clouds.. the birds, the squirrels, the butterflies, the hummingbirds

you dont have to TRY to make anything happen; you just walk and stroll...

next thing you know, you feel better. it is so easy people!

***

and, but then i realize.. this is true for customers, for guests of alden lane nursery, for some of its employees

if you own, or operate..

oh goodness! the weight of the responsibilities... and with the pandemic, and all the safety precautions, the ever changing mandated guidelines; codes..

but it is my understanding that our owner, and operators

they go to other beautiful landscapes around the world for their own spiritual nourishment

beauty without the responsibilities; AKA vacation. ~aloha~

***

"we were just in a funk... and so i said, let's go to alden lane...."

i hear it over and over..

and the other thing i hear over and over

"this is my first time here.. i had no idea how beautiful!"

-and we give a lavender sachet to each new customer.. and we cannot keep up with the making of these sachets lately..

when i encounter new customers, i've been saying the same thing too

"keep your eyes on alden lane in 2021! we've had to postpone some events due to covid

i don't think of them as canceled, just postponed, and we have live music here... wine tasting... artists everywhere for art under the oaks.. we have a fairy festival... quilt show... classes -art classes and taking care of your plants classes.."

really,

every single cashier at alden lane is quality.. but you're going to get a little extra if you are in my line

value added service

and my most recent value added service was when one of my customers was wearing a t-shirt with shakespeare on it..

husband and wife; husband was wearing the t- shirt

"you like shakespeare?"

and they both told me about how, BC (before covid), they used to drive to oregon for the shakespeare festival..

"have you ever been to moss landing?"

and they had not.

do you know how exciting it is when you know of a place, and they've never been there or heard of it, even..

and so i shared about how i had just been there... and, "you have to go! it's got everything shakespeare.. books, portraits, costumes, souvenirs, memorabilia - a library like you've never seen! pins, postcards.. statues.. it's going to blow your mind"

and,

i really enjoy cashiering for that reason.. little mini conversations, all day long

a sport logo on a hat; a word or design on a t-shirt; a question about a product they purchased;

their dog; their children.. earrings, -and as of late, the design of their face mask

any little tiny passing thing, and a mini conversation is born.

except!

except during 'blackout'

BLACKOUT is march 15th - June 15th, and it is all hands on deck, and very little talking..

our busiest time of every year. all registers ringing, and we all work very hard to keep any waiting in line to an absolute minimum

"good to see you!" "thank you" "next customer" is the extent of our blackout conversations.

no one takes it personal though, everyone just understands.

In Jesus Name.. amen.

#charlotteseverin #aldenlane

December Yard Art Poem by (me!) sandra, tvgp

Sex Rocks by (me!) ~tops! #IWA #aldenlane @writeousmom

in between customers,

that is, in between providing outstanding customer service at the register for our cherished guests,

sometimes there is a brief

~lull.

this is actually the exception and not the rule, these ~lulls, because the majority of the time we have projects which keep us productive in between each and every customer

and whether the in between is .30 seconds, or 3 minutes, we do usually have something constructive to do

i.e., process phone orders for gift cards, or price products for the gift stores, or water plants, or clean and sweep, or fluff up/restock merchandise areas where products have sold

and we are instructed and expected to call the accessories department and proactively ask for projects, if we have none

what happen on this day, is that when i called with my usual request,

"do you have any projects to help keep me out of trouble?"\

the answer was no.

so i looked at my co-worker, and i said with a smile,

i said, "looks like i'll be getting into trouble today"

and, sure enough.. i was providing outstanding customer service to one customer after another...

addressing them gregariously by name, genuinely complimenting something they were wearing, or the choice of their flowers and plants, engaging in brief but meaningful mini-conversations, sharing the exciting news about the savings from their loyalty points, giving lavendar sachets and a warm welcome to any first time customers, quickly organizing their products/plants in boxes, grabbing carts, getting help for larger orders...

but then there was this ~lull

and i looked at all the gravel on the ground write in front of me.. wouldn't those rocks be fun to draw and shape~shift..

and then, -look at that perfect and pretty riser.. what a great background!

and so i grabbed two fists full of gravel.. and i grabbed the pretty riser, and i placed them in my kiosk

now, in between providing excellent customer service, what i did was...

-and, but i wasn't quite done when the General Manager Cyndee walked into my kiosk

everyone who has ever worked anywhere for any amount of time KNOWS!

General Managers never walk by, or even come near you when you are exceeding their highest work standards

there is some unnatural law of management which dictates that GM's only appear in that in-between ~lull time

and, as testimony to this law,

it was sometime after I warmly welcomed a new guest and so quickly boxed two carts worth of 4" inch vegetables, annuals, perennials, 1 gallon shrubs, soaps, ornaments, chimes and scarves, -but it was also before I fetched and cleaned some more carts, that the GM, Cyndee entered my kiosks with some paper in her hands

so what she saw when she walked in my kiosk was this:

and so i looked at my rock art...and back at Cyndee..

at Cyndee.. and back at my rock art...

"it only says that because i'm not done yet..."

and she said, "do you know how to process paypal orders? it looks like you might need a project."

and, i've worked their 4+ years now, so

i said with a smile, i said,

"not only do i know how to process paypal orders, i consider myself an expert."

and i accepted the papers from her hand.

and i processed the paypal orders in between providing outstanding customer service at the register

and

after i processed the paypal orders and in between the customer service

i created these:

and i am just wildly grateful for the quality of our phone cameras! i mean, look at these pictures..!

it's only some gravel rocks on a wooden riser with metal legs, and i think the heart one especially belongs on the cover of a magazine or card; it's so beautiful to me.

-fun to see also, you can sure tell what i have on my mind..

and i couldn't wait to get home to my sexy and share the sex rocks story over a delicious and wonderful pot roast, mash potato dinner.

"a toast.. to spontaneous & temporary art! and the pictures that preserve them!"

"cheers! & amen!"

a toast to 1977 "Go Raiders!" "Go Vikings!" Win/Win Football Sunday

unplanned, but i really like the kind of warrior/hippie sunbeam headband that landed across my forehead in this picture.

i'm going to use a credit card/financial analogy for the Raider game today

-usually people use sports analogies to explain other things, but..

it was like this,

you finally broke even... now SAVE!

you used your credit card again! you knew better!

that's a self-inflicted debt wound. now you have to work even harder to break even again

-oh my goodness... mercy! someone just wrote you a check -you have FREE MONEY

you are ahead now...!

oh my good God... haven't you learned anything!?! you just spent the free money and used your credit card again! you keep making yourself having to work harder and harder... you had 4 more chances and blew it

there's no hope.. wait! that was a good financial decision... you are headed in the write direction..

DONT GO BACKWARDS AGAIN!

-and just when i officially believed the game was over, and was putting my slippers on to go clean the bathroom..

WHAT?!?! when the clock read .05... they hit the lottery, and WON!

VICTORY RAIDERS! Robert calls it the Raiders Minneapolis Miracle

****

and we didn't get to watch the Vikings game live.. just the scores on our phones

i can promise you this.. Robert refuses to even hope they will win..

even when they are ahead, he says, "doesn't mean anything... they'll choke.. that's what they do"

and the game went into overtime..

-he refuses to hope out loud, like it will jinx any potential they might have..

"SEE! they only won because I didn't believe they could.. if i believed.. they would have lost"

it's a very cerebral and emotional sport -being a fan of these football teams.

-don't forget great food, fun drinks, spirit wear

"Cheers!" from sexy & tops

The Last Dance & The Queen's Gambit netflix yes's for (sexy! & tops!)

Shape-Shifted Into Santa Bliss december yard art by (sexy! & tops!) #bliss @writeousmom

we are so grateful for the beautiful december day

that allowed us to play in the front yard for hours

Christmas music playing, spirits..

shape~shifting our pilgrim into santa, and the rake into a candy cane

replacing the turkey with santa's bag of gifts

way fun!

and several conversations with different wonderful neighbors as they passed by

they keep us encouraged with their appreciation

and i know we have some playful analogies here..

because, during the shape~shifting process..

well,

it's not pretty. little scary in fact..

-still have the december poem ahead of me to work on

in Jesus is the reason for the santa season's name

amen!

SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Spartans at the Half... by (me!) sandra, tvgp

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Color of Love Notes. Photo collage by (sexy! & ~tops!)

Nature of our walks. Photo collage by (sexy! & tops!)

Sunday, December 27, 2020

"Thank You!" love, (me!) sandra, tvgp ~tops

Friday, December 25, 2020

All we want for Christmas... (sexy! & tops!)

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

We will bring the feast to you then... (sexy! & tops!)

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Super Thrive for Humans as considered by (me!) sandra, tvgp

Our 2020 part II photo collages by (me!) ~tops #IWA @writeousmom

Wednesday, December 09, 2020

Tenuta Winery, Livermore, CA remembers (me!) sandra, tvgp

Monday, December 07, 2020

Our 2020 Family Christmas Card Design by (sexy! & tops!)

All Eyes On Alden Lane Nursery in 2021 says (me!) sandra, tvgp

December Yard Art Poem by (me!) sandra, tvgp

Sunday, December 06, 2020

Sex Rocks by (me!) ~tops! #IWA #aldenlane @writeousmom

a toast to 1977 "Go Raiders!" "Go Vikings!" Win/Win Football Sunday

The Last Dance & The Queen's Gambit netflix yes's for (sexy! & tops!)

Friday, December 04, 2020

Shape-Shifted Into Santa Bliss december yard art by (sexy! & tops!) #bliss @writeousmom

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